Maine Open Lighthouse Day Perseveres
People from near and far love Maine Open Lighthouse Day – and for a myriad of great reasons. Yes, the opportunity to climb to the top of a lighthouse is the foremost draw; however, there is so much more to this beloved event than simply gaining access to some of Maine’s majestic guardians of the sea.
Over the years, the popularity of Maine Open Lighthouse Day has grown and become quite renowned. People plan vacations around the event, ponder different lighthouse destinations and invite friends and family to join them for a one-of-a-kind, fun-filled memory. The anticipation is off the charts!
Since the event’s inception in 2009, Maine Open Lighthouse Day has beckoned visitors to bask in beauty and adventure untold. Discovery too! For not only do state residents and vacationers alike experience amazing lighthouse history, they are also introduced to the rich heritage of coastal communities and encounter an enthralling sense of place at each locale.
And if these impartations were not enough, there is more! People learn of the modern day role that the United States Coast Guard plays in keeping the beacons shining and fog horns sounding at Maine’s lighthouses. In traditional fashion, “keeping a good light” requires skill and dedication – attributes Coast Guard lighthouse technicians exhibit faithfully.
Of course, in many cases, the doors of participating lighthouses could not be opened to the public without the involvement of nonprofit preservation groups who serve as stewards for many of these historic treasures. Thanks to these groups and their passionate band of volunteers – who freely give of their time and expertise, Maine Open Lighthouse Day remains the largest event of its kind in the nation.
In a word, Maine Open Lighthouse Day is a privilege.
In 2024, this privilege will once again be extended to the general public on September 14. However, this year, people will notice the selection of participating lighthouses is not quite as robust as we are accustomed to seeing.
Why is this the case? Severe storms and a changing climate have taken a toll on a number of Maine lighthouses over the past two years. During January 2024, the Maine coast was battered by back-to-back storms that packed incredible fury. Most troublesome was the surge from each storm, which inundated the coast at near unprecedented levels – on top of some of the highest tides of the year. The water levels were both terrifying and destructive.
Light stations witnessed alarming flooding and erosion, as well as damage to lighthouses and other outbuildings, such as boathouses. However, one of the most problematic aspects of the storms was the harm they inflicted upon piers and walkways leading to lighthouses. A number of lighthouse access points were either severely damaged or destroyed altogether.
For nonprofit lighthouse stewards, this type of sudden destruction is daunting. There are no quick or easy fixes to this kind of devastation. Repairing the damage to historic structures or rebuilding piers and walkways takes time – and lots of money.
Other lighthouses have reached the point of needing cyclical restoration and maintenance. Such work naturally forces the temporary closure of a lighthouse. Another critical aspect is the ability to ensure the ongoing safety of the general public during their visit. In some cases, lighthouse access points are undergoing further evaluation and strengthening.
In light of all these challenges, the 2024 Maine Open Lighthouse Day event will see some doors closed that are normally ajar in welcoming fashion. However, rather than letting this fact dampen the spirits of visitors, the exact opposite is needed now more than ever.
This year, be sure to “walk in the steps of the keepers” as has been the tradition associated with this popular event, but don’t stop there. Please consider donating to the open lighthouses – and even volunteering, if possible. The job of a lighthouse preservation group may be a labor of love, but it is by no means easy or inexpensive.
As for the lighthouses sidelined for the 2024 Maine Open Lighthouse Day event, remember, they did not wish for this reality. These groups need your support too. Be sure to buoy the spirits of the stewards by stopping by the keeper’s houses that are open during the event, or researching how you can help make a difference for those lighthouses forced to sit the event out due to storm damage or critical restoration projects that can no longer wait.
Lighthouses are not relegated to the past. Not at all! Lighthouses are still making history – and only YOU can help ensure these beloved sentinels “shine” on into the future through time and storms. All of us who care about lighthouses are “keepers” – and our “watch” is now!
Maine Open Lighthouse Day is sponsored by the nonprofit American Lighthouse Foundation, United States Coast Guard and the Maine Office of Tourism. For more information and a list of the 2024 participating lighthouses, visit:
https://lighthousefoundation.org/maine-open-lighthouse-day/